Quote Originally Posted by Alan H
So I have a question for you....

Do you buy into the attitude that you just explained to us? You know, the "if you don't look like this, then there's something wrong with you" attitude?

I bet not.

And if you don't, then why are you considering conforming to it?
Because I only just started wearing the kilt, and I have 43 years of being accepted for who I was when I wasn't wearing it. That suddenly went away as soon as I took off the trousers. If I put 'em back on, I know that all of a sudden I'll be accepted for who I am again. Is that right? No. Is it easier, hell yeah!

On the 'radiating a challenge' thing, I don't really accept that I should have to 'stare people down' in order to be accepted. I can do it, heck, I DO do it, because there really isn't an alternative as far as I can see, but doing the mental equivalent of a genial "f*** you" every time I meet someone isn't exactly my style.